"The Karski Quartet and Raphael Feye earn notable discographic distinction with two world premiere recordings, but above all they captivate with their refined and utterly enchanting interpretation—no less varied than Boccherini’s own scores."

"The performers devote themselves to this cosmos with eloquent playing that particularly highlights the charming aspects of the music without glossing over the breaks.“

"Overall, it reveals extraordinary music, ranging from graceful classical style to bold, eccentric bursts of Romanticism.“

"the individual voices are brought out and contrasted more clearly, the independent melody lines more distinct than they can be when played on a keyboard. [...] offering a listening experience as entrancing as the recording is useful."

"Im Spiel von Giacometti wird da eine Brillanz in der Tiefe, ein sonorer, runder Bass und eine erdigwarme Mittellage hörbar. Allein daran kann man sich nicht satthören. Wohltuend fließend die Tempi und dennoch hochpoetisch in der Ausgestaltung des Klangs, führt Giacometti überdies tief ins authentisch Innere dieser Musik. Bei ihm weitet sich die kantable Melodik, stets subtil und nuancenreich präsent die Melancholie."

"Sa belle conduite reste cependant fidèle à l'esthétique tout en retenue qui traverse le projet. Authentique bijou, toujours sur une basse obstinée au pouvoir hypnotique, le noël provençal Bressarello séduit par une simplicité et une efficacité joliment convaincantes."

DISQUE DU JOUR - 

"Giacometti has a very deep understanding of Schumann’s music, and it shows in everything."

"Outre une fête musicienne et une œuvre qui ne cesse d’interpeller depuis des siècles, l’album consacre trois artistes complices qui poursuivent avec une sérénité instrumentale jubilatoire l’exégèse d’une partition abyssale."

"E si tratta di una chicca, almeno per gli appassionati di questo genere musicale. Infatti rarissimamente, si trova un’incisione riservata ai due Quintetti di Bela Bartók e Ernst von Dohnanyi, composti nell’arco di dieci anni (1904 quello di Bartók, 1914 quello di Dohnányi). Per l’occasione l’ensemble praghese si avvale della collaborazione pianistica di Paolo Giacometti: il risultato è una festa strumentale che scava nell’introspezione creativa dei due compositori, esaltandone le caratteristiche ritmiche e le strutture formali. Sempre con alta intelligenza dialogica e lettura scrupolosa delle intenzioni espressive."

quando la musica trae ispirazione dalla notte e dal sonno

"Their coupling of the Quintet and Quartet is a worthwhile one, and sound is warm and clear. Strongly recommended."

"Els canvis de caràcter, el joc rítmic i la densitat del teixit instrumental apunten cap a una escriptura més ambiciosa, que els músics destaquen amb energia i claredat estructural."

"The finale seems to exist beyond time before finding its momentum, and this is not achieved though a near-glacial important but through chord weighting, firm harmonic basis, and long-erm hearing and vision. The sense of organic growth, f opening out, is visceral. Possibly most impressive is Sandrin's control of pianissimo. A makable account."

"Marie François ha un tocco raffinato, poetico, vellutato ma anche drammatico, ci mette tutto il lirismo che serve, anche dilatando le pause lad- dove serva o addomesticando le cadenze al proprio discorso. Ma soprattutto - perché il merito è davvero notevole in questo - Marie François riesce a estrarre dal pianoforte un suono morbidissimo e una tavolozza timbrica iridescente. Una veste, per questi Notturni, davvero incantevole."

"La performance dello Zemlinsky Quartett è di assoluto valore per lucentezza strumentale, finezza ago- gica, lirismo interpretativo."

Nominated on Longlist 1/2026 for: Jury Concertos

LE DISQUE DU JOUR - "Lecture magistrale, comme celle du Quatrième Quatuor : la mise en abime dès l’Andante initial fait songer à Bartók, tout comme le nocturne esseulé de l’Andante, et les fantaisies un rien ironiques du Finale n’en disperseront pas l’amertume."

„Sie neigt nicht dazu, zwanghaft virtuos zu klingen, sondern pflegt ein wunderschön ausgewogenes Spiel mit dynamischen Kontrasten, mit Schnell und Langsam, mit Stille und leidenschaftlicher Dramatik.“

"This recording brilliantly illuminates the counterpoint; the listener can hear each of the musical lines as they smoothly weave around one another. This clarity is partly owing to the wonderful purity of the singers’ tones—there is not a speck of vibrato to distract! Countertenor Franz Vitzthum’s sound is particularly striking; his melismas positively soar. But the recording itself is also well balanced."

"These readings are passionate, polished, and utterly committed. I especially love their way with the fast movements in both pieces, full of syncopated, rambunctious joy. Much of this music is steeped in folk motifs, though it is complex and highly contrapuntal. Quintet 1, from 1952, opens with an austere unison motif that haunts the entire piece. This is a big, expressive work, with a wacky, heavily accented Presto based on the Polish oberek, an eloquent slow movement, and a fast-flying finale, all played here with freshness and a sense of adventure. The quartet is just as captivating, especially the triumphant finale. The piece opens with a somber, hymn-like introduction that becomes increasingly tender before an ostinato ushers in vigorous fast music, the movement building toward a bright, affirmative major chord at the end. The album closes with a folk tune arranged for quartet—a charming coda. The recorded sound is intimate and appealing."

"This is my first encounter with both the Romantic Fantasy and the 2 soloists. More, please, from Mathis Rochat and Abigel Kralik, 2 gorgeous players steeped in the traditions of great string players in the early and mid-20th Century."

Critics’ Choice 2025 - Rob Haskins

"Le naturel et l'allant de la pianiste belge Marie François préserve son intégrale des Nocturnes de Chopin de l'emphase comme de la mièvrerie. Si elle négocie avec habileté les épisodes extravertis, ce sont les pages les plus épurées qui lui réussissent le mieux."

"Il y a dans cette sonorité une beauté douloureuse, une manière de se mettre à nu au détour d'une inflexion de l'archet ou d'une note qui s'étire dans l'aigu [...] On ne craint pas les épreuves quand on a l'aventure gravée dans la peau."

Le disque Choix Musiq3 - "Il s'y dégage une quiétude délicieuse"

"Sopraan Lore Binon en luitist Jurgen De Bruyn (Zefiro Torna) laten zich op hun jongste album Somnia inspireren door het fenomeen slaap en de mysterieuze sluimerwereld. Door de eeuwen heen hebben schrijvers, schilders en componisten zich laten inspireren door datzelfde fenomeen en de symboliek ervan. In Somnia betreden Lore & Jurgen het muzikale schemerduister van enkele prachtige composities uit de late renaissance en barok en van tijdloze rootsmuziek uit verschillende delen van de wereld."

"this recording should win admirers of both this fine composer and these thougtful musicians."

"The contrasts between these two masterpieces could not be found in any other two consecutive works by Schumann. While the melodic genius is present all through both sets, the piano writing, mood and technical requirements are quite different. Giacometti meets and exceeds all of these. He has the ability to spin a beautiful legato melody, perfectly balanced with the accompaniment. The Evil Penguin recorded sound is state of the art, capturing an excellent historical instrument."